Contact Energy’s accelerated proposal to 55 turbines’ wind farm was slaughtered by an independent consent panel in a decision released today.
The contact had predicted that the project near Wyndham would create up to 240 new jobs during construction and feeding of 150,000 homes when operational.
In its decision, the panel said it did not satisfy adverse effects on significant indigenous vegetation and indigenous species habitats could be properly mitigated.
Wind energy chief and Matthew Cleland said it was “extremely disappointed” in the decision.
“Southland’s Wind Park is an important project to support the energy security of supply for all New Zealanders – either in their homes or to the industries that support the economy and the communities in which we operate.
“The growth of demand for electricity, as New Zealand moves away from relying on fossil fuels, means that projects like this will be critical.
“Last year, we made a commitment to be zero carbon fluid in our generation by 2035, and Southland’s wind farm has been carefully selected as another important step to achieve this.”
Cleland said the panel’s decision could be appealed to the Supreme Court within 15 business days only with points of law.
“As such, we will take some time to completely understand the reasons behind the expert’s consent panel decision to refuse consent and evaluate which option to take next.”
The panel acknowledged that the project would urgently promote employment and support the certainty of investment ongoing in New Zealand.
However, the environmental effects were the project would not promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources.
This meant it did not achieve the purpose of the act of accelerated consent.
Among the main reasons for the decline of the proposal were the effects they would have on birds, bats, lizards and invertebrates and the effect that this would have on the landscape and natural characteristics, natural character and visual convenience. – APL
